Two federal health care leaders honored with 2026 AHA Federal Health Care Executive Awards

The AHA announced April 17 that it will present its 2026 Federal Health Care Executive Award to Cmdr. Vince Deguzman, director for clinical support services at the U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Okinawa in Okinawa, Japan, and Elizabeth Adriano, M.D., director of the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. The award recognizes uniformed and non-uniformed federal health care executives who have accomplished a significant achievement or multiple sustained achievements that have contributed to the federal health system. Both awardees will be honored during the 2026 AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.

At the U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Okinawa, Deguzman led a multi-million-dollar diagnostic imaging modernization initiative and helped establish the facility’s first electromyography and pelvic-floor therapy programs, which expanded rehabilitative capabilities and improved musculoskeletal recovery for patients. In addition, Deguzman championed the introduction of novel blood products that improved trauma survivability while expanding support for neonatal care and critical medical evaluations. Deguzman is also president of the American College of Healthcare Executives Overseas Chapter.

At the Naval Medical Center, Adriano led the expansion of the Virtual Medical Operations Center to 26 military treatment facilities. She also led the development and implementation of the Maxillofacial Restoration Program, which prioritizes restoring the entirety of a patient’s health and function, and involves a team across nine clinical pathways to integrate specialized services and leverage telehealth and 3D printing. As a result, length of stay and the need for post-operative pain medication have been substantially reduced, and the return-to-duty rate and the ability to eat by mouth for discharged patients notably improved.

“Our federal health systems have contributed substantially to advancing care to better serve patients across both the federal and private sectors,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “We are honored to recognize Commander Vince Deguzman and Captain Elizabeth Adriano for their selfless leadership and devoted service to their patients and communities.”